Tennis Superstars in Manila for the IPTL 2015

Tennis superstars Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams are currently in Manila to play in the 2nd season of International Premier Tennis League (IPTL 2015) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena from December 6 to December 8, 2015. Apart from Williams and Nadal, a handful of other current tennis greats are currently playing in said tournament, the first city-based professional tennis league in the world.

Serena Williams heads the Philippine Mavericks along with Mark Philippoussis, Milos Raonic, Sabine Lisicki, Richard Gasquet, Treat Huey, Jarmila Gajdosova, Borna Coric. Jo-Wilfred Tsonga was originally part of the team but begged off this season.

Rafael Nadal, currently ranked world number eight by the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals), leads the Indian Aces team composed of Agnieszka Radwanska, Sania Mirza, Gael Monfils, Rohan Bopanna, Fabrice Santoro, and Ivan Dodig.

The Singapore Slammers who will also see action in IPTL 2015 Manila is made up of Carlos Moya, Nick Kyrgios, Dustin Brown, Karolina Pliskova, Marcelo Melo and Belinda Bencic.

Apart from the Philippine Mavericks, the Indian Aces, and the Singapore Slammers, other teams who are seeing action in the Manila leg of the tour include the UAE Royals and the Japan Warriors. Ana Ivanovic, Tomas Berdych, Kristina Mladenovic, Daniel Nestor, and GoranIvanisevic are representing the Royals while the Japan Warriors include Marat Safin, Vasek Pospisil, Daniela Hantuchova, Kurumi Nara, Leander Paes, and Lucas Pouille.

On the first day of the IPTL 2015 competition, December 6, the Singapore Slammers outperformed the Japan Warriors with a 29-20 score with a victory in all single matches.

The Philippine Mavericks, meanwhile, stamped its class against the UAE Royals (29-18) with victories in the singles matches by Philippoussis, Raonic, and Williams. Williams and Huey, however, dropped their mixed doubles match to Nestor and Mladenovic.

This afternoon, December 2, the Indian Aces extended their winning streak by outclassing the UAE Royals, 30-18. The evening match between the Philippine Mavericks and the Japan Warriors are still being played as of press time with the Mavericks leading, 21-15.